Canadian Passport Ranked Seventh-Best in the World

Henley and Partners, a residence and citizenship advisory firm, recently released their 2024 world passport rankings, incorporating data from the International Air Transport Authority. The Canadian passport was ranked as the seventh most powerful in the world for the second consecutive year. It ties with passports from Czechia, Hungary, and Malta.

Why the Canadian Passport Ranks High

Canadian passport holders enjoy visa-free travel to 187 countries, along with work and study options in many of these destinations. Additionally, many Canadians can hold dual citizenship, offering the benefits of two passports.

Global Passport Rankings

• 1st Place: Singapore, with visa-free travel to 195 countries.
• 2nd Place: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain, each with access to 192 countries.
• 7th Place: Canada, Czechia, Hungary, and Malta, with access to 187 countries.
• 8th Place: The United States, with access to 186 countries.
• Last Place: Afghanistan, with visa-free access to 26 countries.
  
  

A Strong History

The Canadian passport has consistently ranked in the top 10 in Henley's rankings for nearly 20 years. It was previously ranked as high as second in 2014.

How to Obtain a Canadian Passport

1. Become a Citizen First

To get a Canadian passport, you must first be a Canadian citizen. For those not born in Canada, this involves attaining permanent residency and meeting Canada's physical presence requirements for citizenship. You need to have lived in Canada for at least three out of the past five years (approximately 1,095 days).

Note: If you are the child of a Canadian citizen, you may be eligible for citizenship through your parent, even if born abroad.

2. Meet Citizenship Requirements

After gaining permanent residency and meeting physical presence requirements, you must also:

• File and pay any required taxes during your residency period.
• Pass a Canadian citizenship test.
• Prove your language skills are at least at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 in English or French.

Generally, it takes at least three years to secure Canadian citizenship through naturalization.

3. Apply for a Canadian Passport

Once you complete a citizenship ceremony and receive your citizenship certificate, you can apply for a passport. Eligible citizens must provide:

• Proof of Canadian citizenship (citizenship certificate or Canadian birth certificate).
• Any valid Canadian passport or travel document issued in your name.
• Two references for your passport application.
• A document confirming your identity.
• Two identical passport-size photographs.

First-time applicants also need a guarantor who meets specific requirements.